Future technologies & enabling plasma Processes

RESEARCH

Building plasma science and engineering (PSE) research capacity in AL, including Low-Temperature Plasma (LTP) and space plasma science, in academic institutions and partners

INTERNSHIPS

Supporting undergraduate and graduate education, training, and research opportunities, and encouraging and enabling access to plasma physics

K-12 OUTREACH

Creating new educational and outreach resources and plans for  K-12 students and teachers, promoting plasma science and engineering (PSE) and general STEM

Ftpp initiative

The NSF EPSCoR Future Technologies and Enabling Plasma Processes (FTPP) is a 10-member university and industry consortium. The project leverages Alabamaโ€™s laboratory and space plasma science expertise to contribute scientific knowledge, technologies, and workforce to Alabamaโ€™s aerospace, manufacturing, advanced materials, medical, bioscience, and agricultural sectors.

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Lead Institution: The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Principal Investigator: Dr. Gary P Zank
bama map
NSF EPSCoR Map

โ†’ This image presents the collaboration among the partners.

events

What is plasma?

Plasma is a state of matter consisting of a collection of ionized particles, electrically neutral atoms, and molecules. It makes up more than 90% of the observable universe and underpins several high-tech manufacturing industries. Familiar forms of plasma include the sun, stars, lightning, neon signs, television screen displays, welderโ€™s torches, and rocket exhaust.

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NSF EPSCoR FTPP

Building research, education, economic, and workforce capacity through discoveries in space & lab plasma physics and creating innovative technologies.

Youโ€™re invited to the 2027 FTPP Alabama International Plasma Physics Conference! (AIAPC) ๐Ÿš€

Join us for Quantum Physics in Plasma Science, a FREE virtual conference bringing together researchers, students, and experts to explore the connection between quantum physics and plasma science.

From astrophysical plasmas and high-energy-density physics to advanced diagnostics and quantum modeling, this yearโ€™s conference will highlight exciting research and developments in the field.

๐Ÿ“… Friday, January 22, 2027
๐Ÿ•™ 10:00 AM โ€“ 3:00 PM CST
๐Ÿ’ป Fully Virtual | Free to Attend

Donโ€™t miss this opportunity to hear from leading researchers and explore the future of plasma science!

๐Ÿ”— Registration is required! Secure your spot today using the link in our bio!

#nsffunded #plasmascience
Monika Karki is a Space Science student at The University of Alabama in Huntsville who recently published first-author research focusing on solar wind turbulence โ˜€๏ธ

Her newly published study contributes to our understanding of turbulence in the solar wind, helping advance research into the complex processes that influence space weather and our understanding of the Sun ๐ŸŒŒ

๐Ÿ”— You can find the full article on our website under news!!
FTPP is excited to spotlight a new article featuring FTPP partners Dr. Eva Kostadinova and Dr. Saikat Thakur! ๐ŸŒŒ๐Ÿ”ฌ

The article highlights their recent award and the innovative research being conducted throughout the FTPP community. Their efforts continue to advance our understanding of plasma physics. ๐Ÿš€

Congratulations to Dr. Kostadinova and Dr. Thakur on this exciting award!

#FTPP #NSFfunded #PlasmaPhysics #Research #UAH

๐Ÿ”— Read the full article on our website under News!!
๐ŸŒŒโœจ Out-of-this-world news for FTPP!

FTPP PI Dr. Gary Zank has received the 2026 COSPAR Space Science Award, one of the highest honors in international space science ๐Ÿ†

And thereโ€™s more: a minor planet has been named in his honor - 21039 Zank ๐Ÿช

Congratulations, Dr. Zank! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ”ญ

Full story link in bio ๐Ÿ”—

#cospar2026 #spacescience #heliophysics #uah #ftppal
Congratulations to Dr. Gabe Xu on receiving a new award from NSF! ๐ŸŽ‰

In collaboration with Auburn University and Alabama A&M University, this project will build on more than a decade of cold plasma research to explore practical applications in agriculture and food.

Weโ€™re excited to see this research move have a real-world impact! ๐Ÿ‘

Read more on our website under news!

#FTPP #NSFfunded #ColdPlasma #PlasmaScience
FTPP is proud to spotlight new NSF awards supporting innovative plasma research led by FTPP partners Dr. Gabe Xu, Dr. Saikat Thakur, and Dr. Shane Aaron Catledge. ๐ŸŒŒ๐Ÿ”ฌ

Dr. Xu and Dr. Thakurโ€™s newly funded research will investigate laser-induced shockwave propagation in dusty plasmas, while Dr. Catledgeโ€™s award will support the development of advanced materials using microwave plasma manufacturing techniques. ๐Ÿš€

Congratulations to our FTPP partners on these exciting accomplishments!

#FTPP #NSFfunded #PlasmaScience #UAH #UAB AuburnUniversity

๐Ÿ”— Read more about the awards on our website under news!!!

NSF EPSCor ftpp

About the cooperative agreement

FTPP involves a partnership comprising nine universities and a research corporation in Alabama and is funded through Cooperative Agreement OIA-2148653 by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through a Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Track-1 five-year grant within the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)*. The FTPP project is overseen by the Alabama EPSCoR Steering Committee.

* Disclaimer: The opinions, findings, and conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

FTPP on News 19

WHNT News 19 featured our work: UAH produces tangible results in plasma science and engineering.

Read the story โ†’

Student Monika Karki, UAH (left) and Katherine Sofia Sierra (right) discussing Katherine's poster at the FTPP Annual Meeting 2026

vision

Alabama becomes a world-renowned hub for PSE (Plasma Science Engineering) by developing transformative future technologies (such as advanced materials, food safety and sterilization, space weather prediction) and building foundational plasma science research and industry with a skilled workforce.

Mission

FTPP will build research, education, economic, and workforce capacity in pursuit of making foundational discoveries in space and laboratory plasma physics and create future societally transformative technologies in the State of AL, utilizing Alabamaโ€™s statewide expertise in plasma science and technology.